Robin Good led me to this terrific piece on shameless self promotion published today. This is one of my favorite topics, and it's one of the things that I constantly tell other professionals and college students to do more of to set themselves apart. Robin did a a great adaptation of the main points of the article, which I've hightlighted below.

"In the new world of work, you are a brand. And to stand out and prosper, you must leverage your experience, way of thinking, ideas, skills and braggables to create a perception that there is no one in the marketplace quite like you. I call this process "branding your brilliance". In the traditional sense, a brand is a word, usually a proper noun. Brand building is the process of creating a perception in the mind that there is no product or service on the market quite like yours."

Here are the adaptations of some of Ramon's & Robin's personal branding ideas.

1. Think like a free agent. - Not in the "free agent nation" sense of things, per se, but consider "what do I as a unique professional bring to the table, wherever I'm at?" Differentiation is key here!
   
2. Discover what sets you apart and market it shamelessly. - Everyone has a niche. Get very comfortable with saying no to clients and projects and find your greatest potential area of impact
   
3. Get visible. - I've talked about this a lot. Write, speak, volunteer, give, share and all that stuff. Trust me. You need to give to get, but always keep an eye on your visibility index through whatever you do (hey, this is shameless self promotion, remember...)
   
4. Stop networking, and build a network. - Networking events are usually very stupid. Go your own way. Make a list, have lunch with someone each week, find out WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PEOPLE before you ask of something from them. Remember, this is a long-term, going concern. Participate in on-line communities. Start introducing (connecting) everyone to everyone else. When you do, you'll get connected, gain access and move ahead very fast.
   
5. Add value - and then some. - Back to the "give then get" scenario.
   
6. Accelerate your brand power by getting in sync with a major trend in your field and moving to the head of it. " - What's a big trend in your field? Read everything about it. Participate in conferences. Take a position. Become known as a specialist. Focusing on what you can be best at is a powerful way to upgrade and accelerate the perceived value of your brand in the marketplace.
   
7. Marry an important, ethical cause as a complement to what you like to do - This speaks about the volunteering element, but it positions you beside a worthwhile initiative and says volumes about your character. Every non-profit needs board members, leaders, doers, and great idea people. Pick your passion and go after it with vigor.
   
8. Share before looking for profit
   
9. Help others become as successful as you
   
10. Question yourself and your approach systematically - get forever curious

Ramon Williamson - UGMC - How To Brand Your Brilliance & Stand Out?
[via Robin Good]

Over the years of coaching customers, I discovered, that instead of asking friends what your strength is, you can listen carefully to your customers.

Hear what they praise you for // what you get compliments for. (in german it is "Wofür werden Sie gelobt", praise seems very high like 'praise the lord' - is there a better word for it?)

Soon you will find a pattern on what people find your special skill or where you are good at. This might not please you ("you are the greatest IT-support I have ever had`!" might not be your dreamjob ...), but it is obviously something you do BETTER than other people. This is why you get a compliment about it.

If you put it down the other way round, you often have your slogan with customer benefit in it. And in words your target group likes.

I have "giving you ideas, which make your concepts/visions work, daily business easier and give you enough to think even further about the next weeks." as my skill. :o)

Remarks I got often are "Oh! I haven't thought of that!", "I have never seen it that way", "that is a good idea!". Seems nothing special but I am good in finding such ideas and questions and according to responses I am better as others. So, it is my skill.

Normally they add "hm, that is a lot of information/ideas, much to reflect on and consider to." That is a "skill" I am working on - give them more time and less information at once. *g*
Nicole